Feeling overwhelmed when decluttering and organizing your home? Can't find the tools (affiliate) you need to get things done quickly and easily? It may be time for you to create an organizing toolbox (affiliate). When I organize any area of my home, I take my handy-dandy organizing toolbox (affiliate) with me so I don't have to run around the house to find specific items. This toolkit saves me time and keeps me focused on the organizing project. I will show you all the things I have inside my create an organizing toolbox (affiliate).
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Benefits of creating an organizing toolbox:
There are many benefits to having your own toolbox (affiliate). Below are just some reasons.
- It will speed up your decluttering process. Packing tape makes it easy to box things up for donation.
- It will help you organize your area faster. During the organizing phase of your process, you will have the labeler and other supplies with you to quickly label (affiliate) your location instead of stopping and forgetting to label (affiliate) your things.
- It will help you complete the areas in one sitting. Some of these decluttering areas are so small that if you are missing a tool, you may need to return to it later when you find it. If you have all these tools (affiliate), you can complete your smaller organized area in one sitting.
I hope I have convinced you that an organizing toolbox (affiliate) is needed. Below, I am going to share the things I have in my toolbox (affiliate).
So, I will share with you how to create your organizing toolbox to reduce distractions when organizing an area. Here we go.
Supplies needed to create an organizing tool box
First, I pulled all of these items. This toolbox helps to carry around things like cutters, screwdrivers (affiliate), and rulers. It not only helps with organizing but also helps with your weekly fix-it list. Here is a list of the items I included and how I use them.
Packing Tape - To use to assemble Cardboard boxes (affiliate) for shipping or donating items.
Pliers - To use for helping pull nails out of items and unscrew stubborn bolts.
Flashlight - To use for working/looking in darker spaces.
Small and Medium Screwdrivers - Phillips and regular tools help with tightening up screws and taking items apart.
Hammer - To help hang items.
Level - To help level shelves (affiliate) when I am installing them.
T-square - To make sure items are square when I assemble them. (used infrequently)
Stud finder - This is great to help with hanging shelves (affiliate).
Scissors and utility knives - To help cut packages open.
Hole puncher - To help hang signs if needed.
Sorting bin box - Holds all my bits for my drill (affiliate) (not showing) and my screws and anchors for drywall.
Tape Measure - I use it for measuring spaces before I buy a new piece of furniture (affiliate) or rearrange existing furniture (affiliate) in a room.
Be sure to have plastic gloves
Now, you know organizing can get dirty, really dirty! So, I have many plastic disposable gloves in my organizing toolbox.
Now, you can't forget the labels (affiliate) when it comes to organizing. Here are the other items I use when labeling.
Different size labels (affiliate) - I have various size labels (affiliate) for quick labeling after organizing.
Label maker and different size cartridges for my label maker (affiliate) - I have mixed size cartridges from 9 mm to 24 mm.
Pens and fine, medium, and large markers (not shown in image) - I use the pens and different size markers labeling when I don't want to use the label maker (affiliate).
Tape is super handy
And, of course, the packing tape again. I usually write up on a piece of paper what task needs to be done with a particular item and hang the sign to remind me what to do. This tip is excellent for donating larger items or bags of stuff.
I also have different types of twisty tie sets. Anything to tie back cables, and wires, so that the results look organized is what I use. Here are just some of the items.
And, we can't forget the moving furniture pads. I love these things. They do help me move furniture (affiliate) around. Here is a different type of "moving furniture (affiliate) pads" for carpeted surfaces from Amazon (affiliate).
Waxman 4704095N 9 ½ inch by 5 ¾ inch Reusable Oval Super Sliders. Four pieces. Beige
What my bag looks like when it is organized
And, here is my bag. It has a wireframe, but I placed a mini toolbox in it that has lots of compartments. I have used it for years - it fits perfectly. It looks like a mess, but everything is in its place, and I can find it easily. Tip: Pick a toolbox with lots of compartments to help you stay organized.
I hope this helps you create an organizing tool box (affiliate) that is customized for your home. Please leave a comment if you add anything else to your box. I would love to hear from you.
Organizing Tool Box Checklist
Here is the complete "Create Your Own Organizing Tool Box (affiliate) list. I even included space for you to customize your toolbox. Enjoy, and feel free to share.
One more tip: If you are like me and organize every season, keep some proper bins in a basement closet to repurpose when working on other organizing projects. Check your unused organizing supplies before buying new ones for another organizing area. It will save you tons of money.
That's it! I hope this helps you get your organizing toolbox in order and reduce distractions when organizing. Please leave a comment below or answer the question: Do you have an organizing toolkit? What do you put in it?
Feel free to visit our other posts to organize small things.
Please note these are affiliate links through Amazon (affiliate), and at no additional cost to you, I will earn affiliate fees if you decide to make a purchase.
Jill Katz says
Sabrina, thanks for this comprehensive list. I don't have as many tools as you do in my organizing toolbox. I use my phone flashlight and I carry around a cutter for breaking down boxes but don't haul around a hammer and other tools. I have needed those moving pads so many times! In addition to my label maker, I always carry around chalk tape and chalk pens. A tape measure, masking tape, sharpies and post its are the most frequent items in my bag.
Janet Schiesl says
Thanks for the comprehensive list. I use a backpack for my tools. It also has lots of little compartments inside to hold all types of things. I like that I can carry it on my back.
Julie Bestry says
This is a fascinating list, appropriate for someone's home or for a residential organizer. I initially figured I wouldn't have much in common between my toolkit *as* an organizer and yours, nor as a random home dweller. After all, as a renter, I don't repair *anything* (though mid-pandemic, when the maintenance crew was only dealing with emergencies, I did fix a toilet with a vinyl-coated paperclip).
As an organizer, the only tools we have in common are the labelmaker, markers, and the flashlight on my phone. (Of course, I don't practice the same kind of organizing as you, and have mostly paper/office-related tools.) I've owned a drill with bits for more than a decade and never used it. (Hmm, perhaps it's now clutter?) But I agree that every one of these items would be useful for someone who "does stuff" around the house. You always put together the best, most useful lists!
Julie Stobbe says
When I saw your first picture I thought you don't need all that and after I read the blog and looked at the list it is exactly what I have. I have a screwdriver with multiple heads in one handle. I love it. I add specific tools for specific jobs.
Linda Samuels says
This is an excellent list! Like Seana, I have some tools, but fewer than the ones you listed. I also have things like plastic file tabs (in a rainbow of colors, binder and paper clips, scissors, stapler, paper, assorted sticky notes, pens, markers, and tape.) And I don't go anywhere without my trusty label-maker...an organizer's staple.
Seana Turner says
That is a serious list, Sabrina! I don't use as many tools as you do... but I definitely keep some gloves inside for the dirty jobs:) I also have sharpies, post-its, labels, furniture movers, measuring tapes,goo-gone, zip-top bags in various sizes, trash bags, and a few other goodies.
Lenie says
Hi Sabrina - great list. My husband built me a wooden tool box that looks like a small treasure chest - I have most of the items you list in there except the packing tape, the label maker, and the t-square. I don't carry it with me but I can grab it quickly whenever I need it.